Billionaire Bill Ackman Criticizes Israeli Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich
Translated & summarized from Bizportal by baba
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman has criticized Israeli Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, asserting their actions have severely damaged Israel's global image. He suggested excluding them from the next government could help restore international trust and improve US relations. Ackman's comments came during a recent visit to Israel, where he also expressed optimism about the country's economic future and its potential in the tech sector.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Billionaire Bill Ackman stated Ben-Gvir and Smotrich caused immense reputational damage to Israel.
- Ackman suggested a government without Ben-Gvir and Smotrich would signal a new chapter for Israel.
- He believes excluding the ministers could help restore Israel's credibility and improve US relations.
- Ackman's comments follow his recent visit to Israel with his wife, Neri Oxman.
- He expressed optimism about Israel's economic future and its potential in the AI era.
- Ackman and Oxman previously invested in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
American billionaire investor Bill Ackman has publicly criticized Israeli Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, stating their actions and statements have caused significant damage to Israel's international image. In a post on X, Ackman suggested that forming a government without them could help restore international trust and improve relations with the United States.
Ackman clarified that he does not intend to interfere in Israeli election decisions but offered his perspective on how Israel is perceived in the US. He argued that statements and actions by Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are being presented by global media as representative of all Israelis, harming the country's reputation.
He believes a government formed without these two ministers would signal a new chapter for Israel, aiding in the "restoration of lost credibility," increasing the chances of expanding the Abraham Accords, and fostering better relations with both American Democrats and Republicans, as well as the general public.
Ackman's comments follow a recent visit to Israel, where he attended the ARC Innovation Conference at Sheba Medical Center. His wife, Israeli architect and designer Neri Oxman, motivated his visit to vote in the upcoming elections. Ackman himself is not an Israeli citizen and cannot vote.
In a separate interview, Ackman praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conduct since October 7 but reiterated his criticism of his coalition partners, particularly Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, advocating for a moderate centrist government. He emphasized that his remarks should not be interpreted as dictating Israeli political choices or reflecting his wife's political preferences.
Economically, Ackman and Oxman purchased approximately 5% of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in early 2024, seen as a vote of confidence in the Israeli market during a period of security and economic uncertainty. During his recent visit, Ackman expressed optimism about Israel's economic future, predicting the potential for a trillion-dollar company to emerge within five to ten years, driven by the country's high-tech advantages in the AI era. He noted that Israel's small size could become an asset in a world valuing technology and human capital, but stressed that international perception, influenced by government composition, is crucial for its standing.
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